Cooking appliance and method for operating same

ABSTRACT

A cooking appliance includes a door for closing a cooking chamber, a door-opening device configured to automatically move the door between a closed position and an open position of the door, and a sensing device operatively connected to the door-opening device. The sensing device is configured to sense a triggering element separate from the cooking appliance for controlling the door-opening device.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a cooking appliance comprising a door for closing a cooking chamber, a door-opening device for automatically moving the door between a closed position and an open position of the door and a sensing device operatively connected to the door-opening device and a method for automatically moving a door of a cooking appliance.

PRIOR ART

In particular in the household appliance sector, devices which are intended to enhance user convenience during the operation and/or actuation of a household appliance have been increasingly developed in recent times. One of these devices is, for example, a door-opening device for automatically moving the door of a household appliance, in particular a cooking appliance, from a closed position into an open position and vice-versa.

DE 10 2009 026 670 A1 discloses, for example, a household appliance, in particular a built-in household appliance, comprising a useable space which is able to be closed by an appliance door which is arranged on the front face of the appliance, and comprising a door-opening apparatus by means of which the appliance door may be actuated, wherein the door-opening apparatus is connected to a signal generating apparatus for generating an opening signal and wherein the door-opening apparatus automatically opens the appliance door when the opening signal is present.

The known household appliances and, in particular, cooking appliances have a drawback, for example, that an opening of a door of the appliance is not convenient and potentially also not sufficiently safe.

The description of the prior art is provided in order to provide understanding of the background to the present invention and may encompass subjects outside the prior art which is known to the person skilled in the art.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to remedy at least partially the drawbacks of the prior art whilst the advantages obtained from the prior art are maintained and, in particular, to provide a cooking appliance which is improved relative to the prior art and in which a safe opening of the door may be automatically ensured.

SOLUTION ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments may be derived, in particular, from the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, this may be achieved in a cooking appliance as claimed in the preamble of claim 1, by the sensing device being designed to sense a triggering element separate from the cooking appliance for controlling the door-opening device. As a result, for example, the door can be moved from the closed position into the open position.

The cooking appliance may refer in a non-limiting manner to conventional cooking appliances with top-heat heating units and bottom-heat heating units and/or hot air systems, or to cooking appliances with a steam function and/or added steam, in which further heating devices may be provided in addition to a steam generator, such as for example bottom-heat heating units and top-heat heating units as well as a hot air system. Moreover, the cooking appliance may also be a steamer and/or steam cooking appliance which is able to heat the food to be cooked exclusively by the use of steam which is provided by an internal or external steam generator in a cooking chamber. Moreover, the cooking appliance may also be designed as a cooker in which an oven is combined with a hob. It goes without saying that the aforementioned appliances may be provided as built-in, built-under or freestanding appliances.

The door-opening device for automatically moving the door may have an electric drive, for example, in the form of a motor. However, it is also conceivable that the door-opening device has a mechanical drive which moves the door from a closed position into an open position. Thus it is clear that any device which is able to move and/or to displace the door at least partially between a closed position and an open position may be provided as the door-opening device. In this context, for example, it may also be provided that the door-opening device operates hydraulically.

The sensing device constitutes a device which is designed to detect an element located in the vicinity of the sensing device. Thus it goes without saying that any device which is able to detect an element and/or an object/body may be provided as the sensing device. In this case, the sensing device has a predetermined range within which an element to be detected has to be present so that it is sensed in order to trigger further subsequent processes and functions.

The sensing device is operatively connected to the door-opening device. It is to be understood thereby that the sensing device is connected in a wireless and/or wired manner to the door-opening device. Thus it is clear, for example, due to this operative connection between the sensing device and the door-opening device that after an object has been sensed/detected by the sensing device a signal, in particular an electric signal, may be generated, said signal being transmitted to the door-opening device following the sensing process in order to trigger further processes and functions. In other words, the signal generated by means of the sensing device is used in order to control the door-opening device such that the door is moved from the closed position into the open position.

In this context it may be provided that the door is transferred, for example, manually and/or automatically from the open position back into the closed position.

According to the invention, it is provided that the sensing device is designed to sense a triggering element separate from the cooking appliance for controlling the door-opening device. Thus it is clear that the triggering element is an element which is present separately from the cooking appliance and which is detected by the sensing device. The triggering element may be an element and/or object which is held in the hands of a user of the appliance according to the invention. For this reason, the sensing device may be designed, in particular, in order to sense a triggering element located in front of the cooking appliance. In other words, the triggering element is located between the appliance and the user during a sensing process by the sensing device.

By means of the cooking appliance according to the invention, it may be achieved in a particularly reliable and safe manner that the door is automatically opened and at the same time the risk of an operating error is minimized.

Advantageous embodiments and developments which may be used individually or in combination with one another form the subject matter of the dependent claims.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the door may be configured as a retractable door which in the open position may be arranged so as to be retracted in a receiver space which is separated from the cooking chamber, in particular configured below the cooking chamber. In other words, during an opening process from the closed position into the open position the retractable door may be moved and/or retracted into a receiver space. In this context, for example, it may be provided that during the opening process a handle which is arranged on the front face of the door is moved from a closed position into an open position. In other words, the handle may be designed to rotate during the opening process by ca. 90° in the direction of a user standing in front of the cooking appliance, so that the user is able to grip the handle more easily when the door is open. By means of the retractable door, in particular, the user convenience may be enhanced since no components which could hinder an operating process are located between the user and the cooking appliance.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, it may be provided that the sensing device has at least two sensors, in particular infrared sensors. As a result, in particular, the safety of the sensing process may be improved. It goes without saying that for the person skilled in the art any devices/sensors may be provided as a sensing device and/or sensors by which an object in front of the cooking appliance may be sensed in a safe manner. It is conceivable that further sensors may be provided in order to enhance the safety.

Preferably, the at least two sensors may be arranged on a front carrier covered by a panel. The arrangement on the front carrier permits, for example, easy accessibility for a user. Moreover, the sensors arranged on and/or in the front carrier may be effectively covered by the panel so that the design of the cooking appliance may be improved. The panel thus constitutes a part of the front face and/or the appliance front of the cooking appliance. It may also be provided that the panel and the front carrier are designed integrally, whereby, for example, the number of components may be reduced.

According to another further preferred embodiment of the present invention, it may be provided that the at least two sensors are arranged at a distance of 300 to 420 mm, preferably 330 to 390 mm, particularly preferably 360 mm. In particular, the distance may correspond to a maximum width of the triggering element to be sensed and/or a maximum distance which may be sensed. In other words, the at least two sensors may be arranged at such a distance that a signal is generated simultaneously by both sensors only when a triggering element with a sufficient width is sensed. As a result, it may be ensured in an intelligent manner that a triggering process of the sensors only results when a suitable triggering element is located in front of the cooking appliance and/or the sensors.

In this context, it also goes without saying that in the case of a common sensing device, without the use of a plurality of individual sensors, the sensing device may be configured such that it has to detect a triggering element to be sensed over its entire width in order to transmit a corresponding signal to the door-opening device. In other words, the sensing device may be designed, for example, as an integral sensor strip which in the cited case produces an electric signal only when the triggering element is located in front of a predetermined region. As a result, an operating error may be further minimized. It goes without saying that in the case of a plurality of sensors, for example three or more, the above refers to the two outer sensors.

Preferably, the at least two sensors may be symmetrically aligned relative to a vertically running central line of the cooking appliance and/or the panel. As a result, for example, on the one hand, the operation for a user may be simplified and, on the other hand, the visual appearance may be improved.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, it may be provided that the panel has a positioning line which is located substantially in a plane running through the at least two sensors and horizontally. The positioning line thus constitutes an aid and/or marking for a user, which assists the user when the triggering element is aligned with the sensing device and/or the sensors. The positioning line may correspond to the width of the predetermined triggering element and/or the distance between the at least two sensors. By means of the positioning line a secure alignment of the triggering element may be improved and thus a reliable operation ensured.

Preferably, the panel may be printed with the positioning line. The panel may consist, for example, of glass or at least partially comprise glass which is printed with the positioning line. The printing constitutes a cost-effective and visually attractive means of implementing the application of the positioning line.

According to another further preferred embodiment of the present invention, it may be provided that the door-opening device is designed to move the door from the closed position into the open position after the triggering element is sensed for a predetermined time by the sensing device. It is intended to be understood thereby that the triggering element has to be held for a predetermined time in front of the door-opening device and/or the sensors in order to permit a control of the door-opening device. In other words, an electric signal is generated by the sensing device and/or the sensors only when they detect the triggering element for a predetermined time without interruption. Thus the risk of an operating error may be reduced. In other words, a possible operating error, for example by children running past, which may last for a shorter time than the predetermined time, may be avoided thereby. Thus it may be clearly identified that in practice a controlled handling, which may prevent an inadvertent opening of the door, is produced thereby. In this context, it may be particularly preferred that the entire sensing device and/or the at least two sensors are triggered simultaneously, whereby the safety may be further enhanced.

Preferably, the separate triggering element may be a carrier for food to be cooked, in particular a baking sheet, rack or the like which may be present as an accessory in the respective cooking appliance and may be used for baking/cooking food to be cooked. As a result, it may be ensured in a reliable manner that a sufficiently large safety distance is present between the cooking appliance and the user. Thus the user standing in front of the cooking appliance is protected from passing inadvertently into the region of an opening door, so that the risk of injury may be minimized thereby.

A method according to the invention for automatically moving a door of a cooking appliance which may be designed as described above, may have the following steps. In one step, a triggering element separate from the cooking appliance may be sensed by the sensing device after a user has positioned said triggering element in front of the sensing device. Following the sensing process, the door-opening device may be controlled for moving the door from a closed position into an open position after the triggering element has been sensed for a predetermined time. In other words, only after a predetermined time has passed, within which the triggering element has to be held without interruption in front of the sensing device so that the sensing device is triggered, is the door-opening device controlled by means of an electric signal generated by the sensing device, so that the door is opened only after this time has passed. As a result, it may be ensured in a very secure manner that the door is only opened when this is desired by the user.

It may preferably be provided that when the sensing device has at least two sensors, the door-opening device is controlled for moving the door only when the at least two sensors are simultaneously triggered by the triggering element and for a predetermined time. For example, it is possible to ensure thereby that the triggering element which is, for example, in the form of a baking sheet and which is provided therefor is used. Moreover, a child-proof lock may be implemented in a convenient manner since both sensors have to be triggered simultaneously and for a predetermined time.

In other words, therefore, the door-opening device is not controlled when at least one of the following conditions is fulfilled:

dropping below the predetermined time for the triggering element to be sensed by the sensing device;

sensing being carried out by only one of the at least two sensors and/or by only one part of the sensing device which is smaller than a predetermined portion and/or region thereof;

Further advantages and features of the invention are disclosed in the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features cited above in the description and the features and combinations of features cited hereinafter in the description of the figures and/or shown solely in the figures are not only able to be used in the respectively specified combinations but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention cited above and below are now described in more detail with reference to a specific exemplary embodiment thereof, these features being shown by the accompanying drawings and only serving hereinafter for illustration and thus not being limiting to the present invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a cooking appliance according to the invention in a perspective view without a panel;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a cooking appliance according to the invention in a perspective view with the mounted panel;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the panel of the cooking appliance according to the invention of FIG. 2.

It should be mentioned that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale and constitute a somewhat simplified view of various preferred features which serve for illustrating the principles of the invention. The specific structural features of the present invention as disclosed herein, including for example specific dimensions, orientations, installation positions and shapes, are partially determined by the application provided specifically therefor and the working environment.

Elements which are the same or functionally the same are provided with the same reference characters in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a cooking appliance 1 in a perspective view according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention without a panel. The cooking appliance 1 has a cooking chamber 2 defined by a cooking chamber muffle (not shown) with a cooking chamber opening (not shown) which is able to be closed by a door 6. The door 6 has a handle 8 for manual opening and/or closing. A front carrier 12 on which a panel (not shown) may be attached is provided above the door 2 in an upper portion. In the front carrier 12, an infrared sensor 21 is attached in each case in a left-hand and right-hand portion in order to sense a triggering element (not shown) which is arranged in front of the sensors 21 and which is present separately from the cooking appliance 1. The triggering element may, for example, be a baking sheet, rack or the like.

The two sensors 21 which are arranged at a distance of ca. 360 mm are operatively connected to a door-opening device 10. The door-opening device 10 has in the exemplary embodiment a drive in the form of an electric motor which is able to move the door 6 automatically from a closed position into an open position. It is also conceivable that the door 6 may be transferred automatically from the open position into the closed position by, for example, a switch (not shown) being pressed to this end.

The opening process of the door 6 is initiated by the triggering element in the form of a baking sheet being held for a predetermined time, for example 3 seconds, simultaneously in front of both sensors. After the predetermined time has passed, an electric signal generated by the sensing device 20 and/or the sensors 21 is transmitted to the door-opening device 10, the door 6 automatically starting to open thereafter. An opening of the door 6 is achieved only by the direct arrangement of the baking sheet in front of the sensors for a predetermined time and the simultaneous triggering of the two sensors. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the door 6 is moved and/or retracted into a receiver space 4 arranged below the cooking chamber 2. After reaching the fully open position of the door 6, said door is located substantially entirely inside the receiver space 4 apart from the grippable region of the handle 8.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the cooking appliance according to the invention in a perspective view with the mounted panel 14. The two sensors in the form of infrared sensors (not shown in FIG. 2) are located behind the panel 14, as shown in FIG. 1. A positioning line 16 which is substantially located in a plane which runs horizontally through the two sensors is located in a central region on the front face of the panel 14 facing a user. By means of the positioning line 16 the user is able to align the triggering element in the form of the baking sheet exactly in front of the sensors, so that both sensors are able to be triggered simultaneously after the baking sheet has been applied for a predetermined time, in order to initiate the door opening process by means of the door-opening device. The positioning line 16 has a width which corresponds to the baking sheet which is able to be used for the cooking appliance 1.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the panel 14 of the cooking appliance according to the invention of FIG. 2. The central line M which subdivides the panel 14 into two regions of equal size is shown in addition, relative to FIG. 2. In the right-hand region of the panel 14, a display 18 is provided at the same height as the positioning line 16, an opening of the door being able to be displayed thereby. It may also be provided that the display 18 is configured as a contact sensor, the door being able to be moved thereby from an open position into the closed position.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   1 Cooking appliance -   2 Cooking chamber -   4 Receiver space -   6 Door -   8 Handle -   10 Door-opening device -   12 Front carrier -   14 Panel -   16 Positioning line -   18 Display -   20 Sensing device -   21 Sensors -   M Central line 

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A cooking appliance, comprising: a door for closing a cooking chamber; a door-opening device configured to automatically move the door between a closed position and an open position of the door; and a sensing device operatively connected to the door-opening device, said sensing device configured to sense a triggering element separate from the cooking appliance for controlling the door-opening device.
 14. The cooking appliance of claim 13, wherein the door is configured as a retractable door which in the open position is arranged so as to be retracted in a receiver space which is separated from the cooking chamber.
 15. The cooking appliance of claim 14, wherein the receiver space is arranged below the cooking chamber.
 16. The cooking appliance of claim 13, wherein the sensing device includes at least two sensors.
 17. The cooking appliance of claim 16, wherein the at least two sensors are infrared sensors.
 18. The cooking appliance of claim 16, further comprising a front carrier connected to the door; and a panel configured to cover the front carrier, said at least two sensors being arranged on the front carrier.
 19. The cooking appliance of claim 16, wherein the at least two sensors are arranged at a distance of 300 to 420 mm.
 20. The cooking appliance of claim 16, wherein the at least two sensors are arranged at a distance of 330 to 390 mm.
 21. The cooking appliance of claim 16, wherein the at least two sensors are arranged at a distance of 360 mm.
 22. The cooking appliance of claim 16, wherein the at least two sensors are symmetrically aligned relative to a vertically running central line.
 23. The cooking appliance of claim 18, wherein the panel has a positioning line which is located substantially in a plane running horizontally through the at least two sensors.
 24. The cooking appliance of claim 23, wherein the panel is printed with the positioning line.
 25. The cooking appliance of claim 13, wherein the door-opening device moves the door from the closed position into the open position after the triggering element is sensed for a predetermined time by the sensing device.
 26. The cooking appliance of claim 13, wherein the separate triggering element is a carrier for food to be cooked, in particular a baking sheet, rack or the like.
 27. A method for automatically moving a door of a cooking appliance, said method comprising: arranging a triggering element at a location separate from the cooking appliance; sensing the triggering element by a sensing device; and controlling operation of a door-opening device for moving a door of the cooking appliance from a closed position, in which the door closes a cooking chamber, into an open position after the triggering element has been sensed for a predetermined time.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the door-opening device is controlled, when at least two sensors of the sensing device are simultaneously triggered by the triggering element.
 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising arranging the at least two sensors at a distance of 300 to 420 mm.
 30. The method of claim 28, further comprising arranging the at least two sensors at a distance of 330 to 390 mm.
 31. The method of claim 28, further comprising arranging the at least two sensors at a distance of 360 mm.
 32. The method of claim 28, further comprising symmetrically aligning the at least two sensors relative to a vertically running central line. 